The Record: Letters, Saturday, July 26

The Record again indirectly supports the position of Leonia Fire Company 1.

From the subhead, "Council upholds new standard for a long-ago offense" to the sentence in the story emphasizing that "two longtime firefighters – Fire Chief David Bohnert and Lt. Arnold Davenport – were kicked off the force earlier this year for criminal offenses they committed more than 15 years ago," The Record implies these firefighters have been unjustly removed.

This point of view was echoed at a recent council meeting by those who supported the notion that any criminal act committed by firefighters should be overlooked because they are either too old or are of insufficient gravity to demand a disciplinary response. In other words, these individuals have been redeemed by time.

In previous articles, Chief Bohnert admitted that he was charged for an act involving lewdness. With respect to Davenport, he pleaded no contest to possessing marijuana with intent to distribute in 1997. Using the same logic expressed by those who provided comments, these records should be expunged because of their good deeds and contributions to the community during the intervening years.

Regarding the third firefighter suspended, Charles Pipitone, your writer did not report the comments made by a councilman that there were inordinate delays that resulted in suspension at this juncture rather than expulsion. He apparently got into a physical altercation with a police officer at his home more than 10 years ago.

It is to be noted that I have not seen any of these individuals exhibit any sign of remorse, explanation, regret or sorrow for their past actions.

Toby Squitieri

Leonia, July 16

*

Regarding "Leonia suspends third firefighter" (Page L-1, July 15):

Working in Bergen and Passaic counties, I pass many a town hall and or firehouse with signs up looking for volunteers for the ambulance corps and fire departments.

With a shortage of volunteers, one town is letting go someone who has volunteered his time freely because a background check has revealed something from many years ago.

Towns are looking for saints, but they are few and far between.

Joe Baeli

Saddle Brook, July 17

Height limit will

preserve Palisades

The mayor and council have set Englewood Cliffs on the path to restoring its long-standing 35-foot height limitation, consistent with our master plan. That would prevent future high-rise development.

Their unanimous vote shows how town leaders can put aside party politics and do the right thing for our community. The council listened to the people. Residents who felt isolated from government learned that their voice can make a difference. The master plan is the vision and will of the residents of Englewood Cliffs. Notably, it does not speak of high-rise buildings anywhere in the borough. Sadly, in 2012, that vision was ignored and breached.

We want to maintain the residential character and quality of life of our community. That is why we moved here, and not to Fort Lee or Hoboken. We want to preserve the Palisades for future generations. The 35-foot height limitation is essential to that goal. We join with Americans who, for over a century, have protected the Palisades, and we are proud to continue that tradition.

We hope that LG Electronics USA will listen to the people. It should voluntarily reduce the height of its planned corporate headquarters. We want LG as our corporate neighbor and will applaud when it brings the initiative and creativity for which it is known in the electronics field to a revised building design with a reduced height.

It is time for the litigation to end, and the building to begin so we can all move forward together.

Wildfires seem to be larger and more prevalent in recent years with the result being increased danger to homes and residents. The time has come to reexamine the nationwide practice of building homes and other structures largely of unprotected or inadequately fire-protected wood framing, sheathing and cladding products.

Building codes and just plain common sense should dictate that homes and other structures, especially in fire-prone areas, are built with adequately high levels of fire-resistant construction. These buildings could be either of frame construction or of masonry and concrete. At the same time, it would be a good idea to construct buildings to resist the impact from falling trees and flying debris that could breach the surrounding building envelope and permit the entry of fire or the elements.

Windows are a more complicated subject, but fire and wind-resistant shutters would be a good start. In many countries, even in poorer areas, homes are required to be constructed of masonry and reinforced concrete — the requirements often resulting from disastrous experiences with fire and/or earthquakes.

For a relatively small increase in cost, homes can be built to substantially resist fire and impact. The life of structure cost even might be less than the present type building. With the help of professional advice, people can design and build safer homes without waiting for the building codes to catch up.

David Mahler

North Bergen, July 22

The writer is a retired architect.

Treat guns with

common sense

Regarding "Christie veto was the right call" (Your Views, July 17):

The letter caught my attention.

It is a fine example of muddled thinking to call the bill to reduce ammo-clip capacity a Democratic demand and the will of a group of out-of-state radicals.

The writer tells us that his owning a tube-loaded .22 would have been outlawed by the bill. He calls for the cessation of the harassment of gun owners.

It's a pity his ideas are as empty as his language is loaded. His words may well inspire letters from the other side. Writers will remind him of Sandy Hook and a thousand similar incidents and how the National Rifle Association blocked background checks to prevent the criminal and the demented from buying guns with impunity. And ask him to explain exactly how he and other gun owners are being harassed.

I have no problems with people owning guns, but I think the "common sense" the writer alludes to is demonstrated, not by himself or the governor, but folks like me who think open carrying in stores, bars and churches makes no sense whatsoever. Wyatt Earp must be twirling in his grave.

John Castro

Teaneck, July 21

Israeli flight ban

was about safety

Regarding "Obama is no friend of Israel" (Your Views, July 24):

The writer feels that because the Federal Aviation Administration placed a 24-hour restriction on planes landing at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, President Obama is "no friend to Israel." The restriction was placed after a Hamas rocket landed within one mile of the airport. Was it not in the name of safety that this was done?

The writer also has a problem with The Record printing photos of Palestinian children and civilians after being attacked. Isn't that what a newspaper is supposed to do? To show both sides in a conflict or war?

The conflict is going into week three. In all this time, The Record has printed many letters that have been totally pro-Israel. President Obama and his administration stand behind and beside Israel 100 percent. So, the above-referenced letter confused me.

The Record: Letters, Saturday, July 26

The Record again indirectly supports the position of Leonia Fire Company 1.

From the subhead, "Council upholds new standard for a long-ago offense" to the sentence in the story emphasizing that "two longtime firefighters – Fire Chief David Bohnert and Lt. Arnold Davenport – were kicked off the force earlier this year for criminal offenses they committed more than 15 years ago," The Record implies these firefighters have been unjustly removed.

This point of view was echoed at a recent council meeting by those who supported the notion that any criminal act committed by firefighters should be overlooked because they are either too old or are of insufficient gravity to demand a disciplinary response. In other words, these individuals have been redeemed by time.

In previous articles, Chief Bohnert admitted that he was charged for an act involving lewdness. With respect to Davenport, he pleaded no contest to possessing marijuana with intent to distribute in 1997. Using the same logic expressed by those who provided comments, these records should be expunged because of their good deeds and contributions to the community during the intervening years.

Regarding the third firefighter suspended, Charles Pipitone, your writer did not report the comments made by a councilman that there were inordinate delays that resulted in suspension at this juncture rather than expulsion. He apparently got into a physical altercation with a police officer at his home more than 10 years ago.

It is to be noted that I have not seen any of these individuals exhibit any sign of remorse, explanation, regret or sorrow for their past actions.

Toby Squitieri

Leonia, July 16

*

Regarding "Leonia suspends third firefighter" (Page L-1, July 15):

Working in Bergen and Passaic counties, I pass many a town hall and or firehouse with signs up looking for volunteers for the ambulance corps and fire departments.

With a shortage of volunteers, one town is letting go someone who has volunteered his time freely because a background check has revealed something from many years ago.

Towns are looking for saints, but they are few and far between.

Joe Baeli

Saddle Brook, July 17

Height limit will

preserve Palisades

The mayor and council have set Englewood Cliffs on the path to restoring its long-standing 35-foot height limitation, consistent with our master plan. That would prevent future high-rise development.